from cartos to clearo's the easy way?

[Tsuki]

So... I get that if I sift through the doctorate worthy volumes of posts here, I can probably find a good answer to my questions. That said, I did my time "sifting" when I switched from smoking to vaping on my own about a year ago. I spent tons and tons of money on different types of hardware and juices before I finally found what works for me. Having converted myself and several others, I feel I have done my time on my own and this time I should ask for some assistance, if only to save me from myself.

In my last Boge carto order from l-f, I decided on a whim to purchase this guy: Electronic Cigarette - Cartomizers - Vision Clearomizers Vision Ego Clearomizer. I believe its also known as "stardust".

Surprisingly, I was expecting the earlier model (short wick) as this is what is depicted in the image, but I was pleasantly surprised to see it is the long-wick model and I believe it is the improved model.

With that said, there are definitely some inherent flaws. I'm sure everyone knows what I'm talking about without me saying that, but for those that don't, my main issue is that this system works great... if I want to keep it upside-down all day. And if I don't keep it upside-down, I'm subject to scratchy, dry, harsh hits, that I'm not particularly fond of. I like to think at this point in my vaping hobby I can get what I want with a bit of digging. This is almost it, but not totally.

Now my question is, -outside of a tank+carto setup- is there any clearo's that can give me what I want?

This is what I want:

1. A durable, long-lasting, leakproof, heavy duty body, exactly like, or close to this model. If plastic, it must be hard plastic... stuff in my purse is heavy and can crush . I don't have any issues with the body of this device.
2. Options for LR/dual coil.
3. Bottom fed. it HAS to be bottom fed. the top-wick or long-wick method is not going to keep stuff wet enough for me, period. I want the juice to be drawn from where its most concentrated at all times without having to keep it upside-down.
4. Colors. I love girly colors <3 who doesn't? its also easy to color code flavors!
5. 510

Can anyone link me to what I want? Pretty Please? Or tell me your stories or prefences!! Thanks so much!

ps: clearo's only please, I'm fed up with cartos and the idea of tanking and purchasing cartos on top of this is meh to me.

-Tsu

 

[skelley]

The only bottom coils that I know of are the BetterLifeTech CE3's and Kanger T0's.
I haven't tried the T0's, but I have used the CE3's since 4/1.
The CE3's need to be filled upside down with a syringe, but they give the best flavor of anything that I've tried to date.
My vape pace is around 7-15ml/day. I use 70/30 PG/VG and I trim the wicks slightly while also raising the center tube to keep up.
I consider these slight adjustments for maximum performance.
The tubes are clear, but you can use your own drip tip. They hold approx 1.3ml
They may be worth looking at.

Another clearo that gets good reviews, but I haven't tried is the Kanger M3. It's a top coil but many say the flavor is there.
You have to use their tips as it also acts as a seal. I think they come in 4 colors, but only hold 1ml.

I have been using the Kanger T2's (top coils) for the last few days. They aren't bad and have changeable heads.
I did have to teach myself the 'Tip-to-Vape' law all over again as I've been using bottom coils.

 

[fatcharlie]

Tsuki, I'm kind of in the same boat as you, looking for a reliable, big, no-hassle bottom coil. Personally I feel that bottom coils provide superior flavor. Unfortunately it seems the developers/manufactures are beholden to top coils. I have tried the 1.5mL CE3s, and they are very good, great flavor and reusable. I just don't like having to use a syringe to fill. I have a Kanger T0 on order, and I'm looking forward to trying it out, but I don't have a lot of hope as they seem to be almost as much of a hassle to fill as the CE3s with having to push down the plunger, and I've read about some of them cracking at the base. Plus they only hold 1.2mL of juice. I have also tried the M3s that Skelley mentioned, but my experience was bad. Every juice I put in them had an overall plastic taste to it. Skelley had recommended to me that I soak them in Vodka or Pure Grain Alcohol to clean them, I just never got around to it and ended up throwing them away. The vapor production seemed very adequate. The only other issue was that juice would build up in the tip and I had to clean it out every few hours.

Right now, aside from the 3mL CE3s from GotVapes, the only other hope on the horizon is the 2.5mL Scorpion from GotVapes. The bad thing is that you need to be in their Alpha program to purchase one, and neither one of us qualify.

 

[skelley]

I saw a pic of the scorpion, it's a top coil with the wicks going down the center tube to the bottom.
There is another device out there just like it and it got bad reviews.

I think BetterLife is trying to improve their bottom coil carto style tank, first issue was a fail and they recalled them.
Maybe the next generation will be rock'n.

 

[fatcharlie]

Ahhh, good to know!

 

[Tsuki]

Skelley and fatcharlie, thank you!! I think I'm going to place an order for some CE3s then, you both seemed to agree the flavor was there, and to be honest if filling with a syringe is the only setback, I'll deal with it for now. I'm sure improvements will be made in the future and maybe something perfect will come out soon. I figure if I'm on the go I can just fill top it up beforehand.

What gauge syringe do you feel is best for that setup? I'll need to purchase one as well. And being a heavy vaper like myself Skelley, how long do you get out of them? Also can you elaborate for me what you meant by:

"I trim the wicks slightly while also raising the center tube to keep up"? sorry I guess I sound like a noob, lol. But when it comes to clearo's I definitely am!!

edit:

Also can you guys point me to your favorite sites to get ce3s? i tried betterlife but to order they want me to send some form and get back to me in 24hrs... lol and I heard some of these come in colors? what's your favorite experience/vendor with them? thanks!

 

[wseternmd]

I just got my order from discount vapers. I ordered one 3ml ce3 for a test look into the clearo bottom coil life. I vape a fairly heavy juice 25/75 pg/vg. At first it was all dry hits and I just about gave up. Then I cleaned the tank out tore it apart and did the mods that were suggested. I trimmed the wicks, set the center tube with a small gap to the pot, it seems to be helping the dry hits. I'm not sold on the idea just yet, but im willing to give them some time. Just in case I have my tank with a boge all set up with my fav TVR Ry4.

 

[skelley]

wseternmd, I never tried the 3ml style CE3. I always used the 1.3ml, 5 pack.
He must have added that as a CE3, but I think that device is actually called a EGO-W or EGO-W F1 on most site as I've never seen it listed and a CE3 before.
I always thought that they were a CE3 style devices, but I'm not sure if all of the tips/tricks apply.
You will have to give us your thoughts (good & bad) on it as I don't think I've seen hardly any post on it in the clearo section.

 

[wseternmd]

skelley, the 3ml ce3 that I purchased from discount vapers is supposed to be the same thing (ie: same manufacture) as the phoenix bottom coil 3ml xl sold on other sites. I have several of the eGo vision version 2 with the replaceable coils and have not had great success with them either. I very much want to like the ce3 (phoenix) style clearos just to get away from punching cardos all the time. At the rate i'm going it's gonna be cheaper to stay with my tanks and cardos. I did just place an order for a vivi nova tank so I have to eventually find something that works for me, right??? Any way I saw you are from good ole WV. I live in westernport,MD now but my family has a farm in the eastern panhandle of WV which is were i grew up. Were bout's you located?

 

[skelley]

I'm on the Ohio River side of the state close to Parkersburg.
I hear good things about the Nova and I'm gonna drop a order for a couple also.
I may pick up one of those 3ml CEs, I always wanted to try them.

 

[Tsuki]

I ordered some BC ce3s from altsmoke, i believe they are the same as the phoenix ones listed @ gotvapes but shipping and cost was considerably cheaper from altsmoke. I'm so excited to try them, I looked up some videos on youtube about them and it seems to be exactly what I wanted, so we'll see!

@wseternmd I saw some guy on youtube doing dry pulls (no battery click) to make the bubbles float up and get the wicks wetter, I would never have thought of it had I not seen the video... maybe that will help with some dry hits? Also if you don't mind me asking, what vg% is your juice? I heard its harder with higher concentraded VG... but thats still not going to stop me trying 100% especially with malty toffee/boba's.

 

[wseternmd]

I am currently vaping a 25/75 pg/vg. It is on the thicker side of most, but I am in love with huge clouds of vapor. The down side I think it make's me chain vape even harder lol. I'm still not sold on the 3ml ce3 but it is more of a learning curve than a bad product/design. I love steeljans vid on the 1.5ml ce3, she sells the hell out of them.

 

[Baditude]

Smokeless Image just revealed a bottom-coiled ce3 called the Nano ce3. Easy fill w/o needle or syringe, just twist off the mouthpiece and fill. 1ml juice capacity. $4 each, cheaper if bought in 5's or 10's. These are 808-threaded devices, but an adaptor will allow them to work on whatever device you own. Must be used with the proprietary mouthpiece to work.

View attachment 134644Smokeless Image bottom-feeding, no-syringe fill CE3

Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | Nano Cartomizer - Accessories
______

Smokeless Image will be coming out with a newer clearomizer within the next couple of weeks, also. Called the X2-T2 clearomizer, they will be bottom coil and hold 3ml juice. Filled by turning the device upside down, unscrewing the bottom base and adding juice into the tank portion. Also an 808-threaded device that can work on any battery device with an adaptor. No price yet determined.

View attachment 134646 Smokeless Image bottom coil clearomizer

 

[skelley]

SI is the vendor, I know Kanger is making the bottom T2, but who is the manufacturer of the larger CE3? BetterLifeTech maybe?
$4 bucks for a larger CE3? A pack of 5 regular ones are $8 and some change, so that is high.

 

[Tsuki]

Smokeless Image just revealed a bottom-coiled ce3 called the Nano ce3. Easy fill w/o needle or syringe, just twist off the mouthpiece and fill. 1ml juice capacity. $4 each, cheaper if bought in 5's or 10's. These are 808-threaded devices, but an adaptor will allow them to work on whatever device you own. Must be used with the proprietary mouthpiece to work.

$4 is incredibly expensive for disposable... even with the syringe hassle, i'd stick w/ce3. launching w/808 is also a step in the wrong direction. but thank you for the information, I think having all options present on the table is a good thing

 

[butterflym]

Alright, so I have an eGo style battery at 1100mAh and purchased an CE4 Clearomizer. I watched several videos on how to fill them (yes, I'm aware that one video would have sufficed.....giggles). So I filled it just to the 1.6 line and no more, placed the cap back on (correctly) and I rolled the Clearomizer around and waited a good five minuted to let the wicks absorb the liquid (70/30 mixture, btw). I then attached it to my batt and YUCK!!!!!! It tasted like crap....aka burnt. I then vaped about 5 times (without inhaling) to attempt to get the whole thing going.....What am I doing wrong?
I also purchased a 320mAh 510X automatic kit that came with cartridges and they give off a burnt taste as well. I know I'm new to all of this but really?
I'm already DIYing and making some really wonderful liquids, I just can't seem to figure this one issue out.....arrrrgggghhhh!
Please help someone ❤

 

[skelley]

Do you know how many volts the batt is putting out and also the ohms of the cartos/clearos?
Wash the clearo heads/unit in hot or warm water and let them dry. This seems to get whatever is on/in them out as they seem to wick better for me cleaned prior to use.
The cartos are another story depending on type; ohms and batt volts.

 

[butterflym]

Do you know how many volts the batt is putting out and also the ohms of the cartos/clearos?
Wash the clearo heads/unit in hot or warm water and let them dry. This seems to get whatever is on/in them out as they seem to wick better for me cleaned prior to use.
The cartos are another story depending on type; ohms and batt volts.

I believe it's 3.7v. My question is, why would I need to clean a brand new Clearomizer? I'm not trying to be combative, just want to learn as much as possible (mechanics as well). Thank you❤

 

[skelley]

Most ppl will tell you that the wicks/coils need 1-2 tanks to break in.
This is not true if you clean the wicks prior to use.
Most wick/coils seem to ship with antibacterial/shipping fluids (some have a lot & others have very little). Another reason is the wicks themselves are made of fiberous materials and particles can be trapped within the wick stands which can prevent them from wicking properly.

A quick cleaning and the coil should perform the same from the first vape to many refills later.
Let's just hope you didn't burn the coils to the point that they taste funny now. They can withstand high temps, so you may still be good to go.

I use a ultrasonic cleaner with vodka or PGA then I rinse them and let them dry. I do a quick dry burn before install if the coil has been used for a while to burn the crud that builds up on the coil, but that is another story...lol.
It has worked for me since day one and I've used clearos most of this year alone.

 

[butterflym]

Most ppl will tell you that the wicks/coils need 1-2 tanks to break in.
This is not true if you clean the wicks prior to use.
Most wick/coils seem to ship with antibacterial/shipping fluids (some have a lot & others have very little). Another reason is the wicks themselves are made of fiberous materials and particles can be trapped within the wick stands which can prevent them from wicking properly.

A quick cleaning and the coil should perform the same from the first vape to many refills later.
Let's just hope you didn't burn the coils to the point that they taste funny now. They can withstand high temps, so you may still be good to go.

I use a ultrasonic cleaner with vodka or PGA then I rinse them and let them dry. I do a quick dry burn before install if the coil has been used for a while to burn the crud that builds up on the coil, but that is another story...lol.
It has worked for me since day one and I've used clearos most of this year alone.

Thank you so much for all of your help. One more question if you don't mind......what about the little plastic cartridges that came with the automatic 320mAh batts that I got. I'm not sure of the voltage that the batts emit but I would think that they are compatible. I purchase all my hardware from "The Vapor Girl". Victoria who owns the company is a rock star and has a great deal of integrity, so I know that those cartridges are fine with the batts......ok yes, a shameless plug for her.....giggles. Seriously though, it's the 7 Stars kit I purchased if you wanted to look up what I'm talking about. I'm really sorry I can't give you more info. I'm still trying to figure out the whole voltage output from the batts vs the ohms with the cartomizers, clearomizers, etc......I'm not even sure if I'm making sense now or if I'm completely missing the mark. OYE!
Again, thank you for all of your help thus far ❤